Reply to Atreja et al.

We thank Atreja et al. for their response to our article, “Countrywide Computer Alerts to Community Physicians Improve Potassium Testing in Patients Receiving Diuretics”,1 which appeared in JAMIA Nov/Dec 2003. Their comments raise some interesting points, which we would like to address.Atreja et al. affirm that no evidence-based data exist supporting annual testing of serum potassium levels in patients receiving diuretics. This issue has, in fact, been addressed, and periodic potassium testing has been recommended outside of the pharmaceutical industry.2 Clearly, in the absence of specific testing frequency guidelines, clinical judgment should remain the main determinant of testing frequency. This is not to say that no testing is required. The computer-generated potassium …